My friend Erick pointed me to this interesting video of Bobby McFerrin at a science forum: Bobby McFerrin Pentatonic Scale from houbero on Vimeo. I have not peered into the discussion that follows McFerrin’s presentation, but my hunch, based on the closing comments, is that they would explore the implications of the fact that, cross-culturally, the pentatonic scale is universally recognized and apprehended. This is a fascinating observation, which flies in the face of postmodern cultural relativism. I don’t think … Read More
How to lead worship for people old enough to be your grandparents.
I turned 30 a few months ago, so I’m actually at the beginning point of stepping out of this problem. But it still happens to me. People wonder what “that sixteen-year-old” is doing up front leading music or liturgy, or preaching a sermon. I’ve received so many comments over the years on how young I look that I’ve become inoculated to them. I’ve developed 100% immunity to being embarrassed or offended when people tell me I look like I just got my driver’s license. It’s even become a fun joke around church, such that when I became an ordained minister, they put my picture up among those of the other elders…only it wasn’t me; it was a doctored picture of Doogie Howser (no pun intended)!
Two New Hymns I’m Loving
There is one man in our congregation that I can say loves old hymns even more than I do. He’s got a Ph.D. in English Literature or something comparable, and he’s often firing off emails with obscure hymns. He led me to these two. I love them, and someone needs to put a new tune to these bad boys so the church doesn’t lose them: “God in the Gospel of His Son”Words: Benjamin Beddome, 1787 (verses 1-2); Thomas Cotterill, 1819 … Read More
Robbie Seay Band Dabbles in the Hymns Movement
By recommendation of my friend John Gooch, I picked up Robbie Seay Band’s album, Miracle, released this past March. John knew I’d bite hook, line, and sinker when he texts me with descriptive words like “theologically rich” and “hymns.” It is a great album. Miracle is further evidence of what I have tried to explain to traditional worship advocates who continually criticize the theological shallowness of modern worship. I have noticed an evolution in the mainstream artists (e.g. Chris Tomlin, … Read More
Confession Isn’t Only About Sin (Liturgical Lessons from Isaiah 53)
I have the privilege of being part of a pretty dynamic pastoral team. We maintain a shared leadership model, and there really is a sense of mutuality among us, despite the pastoral prefixes of “Senior” and “Associate.” Our shared leadership now extends to a more shared preaching model (a newer innovation), and with that comes shared exegetical (Bible study) and homiletical (sermon) preparation. A recent thought-provoking concept emerged from my colleague Marty Martin out of one of these think-tank sessions. … Read More
This is why it’s hard for some to take evangelical worship seriously
A great parody. It drives home a point. This has been circulating fast in worship circles online. “Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media.
Leading Worship with iPhone Virtual Instruments
Someone in my worship network email list sent me this link. This is fascinating, not simply because it’s “cool” but because of the cultural and philosophical analysis associated with it. My own classical sensibilities fight stuff like this because it is “inauthentic.” Anything not acoustic, not naturally amplified, plugged-in, or digitally processed somehow compromises the creative artistry of music-making, so those sensibilities say. However, if you notice, they’re playing on fretboards, not simply pressing “on.” They’re strumming and providing rhythm … Read More
When Calvinism Goes Awry: David Bazan’s Falling Out
I’m a little behind in my indie-rock listening. In the late 90s and early 2000s, I was a big fan of indie band, Pedro the Lion. My indie/emo-dude roommate in college took me to a show in a little club in LA (called Chain Reaction at the time) where I witnessed the mesmerizing performance that cut against the grain of any other rock show I’d ever been to. David Bazan, the front man, was (and is) a prophet. His lazy, … Read More